Growing the African American Church

Wisdom from some of the most influential African American pastors of our day on how to grow and sustain a vibrant congregation.
Carlyle Fielding Stewart III, author of African American Church Growth, has brought together senior pastors from some of the fastest-growing and most influential African American congregations to answer the question, “What makes a church grow?” The answers center around four areas of ministry and witness: Preaching and worship, Evangelism and Discipleship, Community Outreach, and Stewardship. Written by church leaders with long experience in leading effective congregations, this book will be required reading for anyone seeking to grow an African American (or other) congregation.

To read the Foreward and Introduction click here

Wisdom from some of the most influential African American pastors of our day on how to grow and sustain a vibrant congregation.
Carlyle Fielding Stewart III, author of African American Church Growth, has brought together senior pastors from some of the fastest-growing and most influential African American congregations to answer the question, “What makes a church grow?” The answers center around four areas of ministry and witness: Preaching and worship, Evangelism and Discipleship, Community Outreach, and Stewardship. Written by church leaders with long experience in leading effective congregations, this book will be required reading for anyone seeking to grow an African American (or other) congregation.

Tyrone Gordon is Pastor of the 5,500-plus-member St. Luke “Community” United Methodist Church in Dallas, Texas. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Bishop College, graduating with honors, and his Master of Divinity Degree from Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University. He also received an honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree in 2002 from Baker University, Baldwin City, Kansas. He is an Ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church and a member of the North Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church. He is a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and the NAACP. He and his wife, Marsha, have two daughters.

Carlyle Fielding Stewart, III is Pastor, Hope United Methodist Church, Southfield, Michigan. He received his Ph.D. from Northwestern University and Doctor of Ministry from Chicago Theological Seminary. Dr. Stewart has held numerous administrative and teaching positions in the Illinois and Michigan areas. He is the author of many published articles in The Chicago Daily News and Journal of Religious Thought.

Dr. Sheron C. Patterson is the Senior Pastor of Highland Hills United Methodist Church, located in Dallas, Texas. Dr. Patterson is a nationally recognized Christian relationship expert. Her sage advice has been broadcast via Black Entertainment Television (BET) and in Jet, Ebony, and Christianity Today.

On a weekly basis, believers in 40 cities hear her "Love Doctor" broadcast on the syndicated ABC radio format REJOICE.

In 1995, Dr. Patterson founded the Love Clinic, a contemporary Christian relationship institute. Since it's inception, the Love Clinic has produced seminars, a best-selling book, college tours, a summer camp for teens, and a website.

Dr. Patterson is also the author of five books: Ministry with Black Single Adults, I Want to Be Ready, Single Principles, New Faith, and most recently, The Love Clinic: How to Heal Relationships in a Christian Spirit. Additionally, she writes an occasional column for The Dallas Examiner newspaper.